Product dispensers and refills for the same

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for sanitary tissue products comprises a generally flat base and a body extending from the generally flat base. The body has a center of gravity having a vertical axis running therethrough and defines a dispensing opening through a wall thereof. The dispensing opening is fully positioned on one side of the vertical axis and is defined through a portion of the body that is generally opposite to a portion of the generally flat base.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to product dispensers and refills for the same, and more particularly, relates to sanitary tissue product dispensers and refills for the same.

BACKGROUND

Sanitary tissue products, such as facial tissues, for example, are typically dispensed from a cuboid-shaped paperboard box. Such boxes, in some instances, are not aesthetically pleasing and/or do not compliment the decor of many rooms or areas. As such, these boxes sometimes are not placed in the appropriate areas for regular usage, such as a on a coffee table in a family room or in a bathroom, for example, and are instead placed or hidden on a shelf or in a cabinet because of their aesthetics. As a result of this placement, sanitary tissue product usage by consumers can decrease. What is needed are sanitary tissue product dispensers and refills for the same that are aesthetically pleasing and that do compliment the decor of a room or area. This can drive increased usage of sanitary tissue products by consumers owing to proper placement of the dispensers in rooms or areas where such products are frequently needed.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed, in part, to a dispenser for sanitary tissue products. The dispenser can comprise a generally flat base and a body extending from the generally flat base. The body can have a center of gravity having a vertical axis running therethrough and can define a dispensing opening through a wall thereof The dispensing opening can be fully positioned on one side of the vertical axis and can be defined through a portion of the body that is generally opposite to a portion of the generally flat base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1C are perspective views of dispensers for sanitary tissue products in accordance with various non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 2A-2C are perspective views of other dispensers for sanitary tissue products in accordance with various non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a dispenser for sanitary tissue products in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a top view of a dispenser for sanitary tissue products in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 3 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 3 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the dispenser of FIG. 3A in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the dispenser of FIG. 3 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a dispenser for sanitary tissue products attached to a wall or other surface in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is an example attachment mechanism for use with a dispenser in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the dispensers and refills disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the dispensers and refills described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting example embodiments and that the scope of the various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment can be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

“Fiber” as used herein means an elongate physical structure having an apparent length greatly exceeding its apparent diameter (i.e., a length to diameter ratio of at least about 10.) Fibers having a non-circular cross-section and/or tubular shape are common; the “diameter” in this case can be considered to be the diameter of a circle having cross-sectional area equal to the cross-sectional area of the fiber. More specifically, as used herein, “fiber” refers to fibrous structure-making fibers. The present disclosure contemplates the use of a variety of fibrous structure-making fibers, such as, for example, natural fibers or synthetic fibers, or any other suitable fibers, and any combination thereof.

“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises one or more fibers. Non-limiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures include known wet-laid papermaking processes and air-laid papermaking processes. Such processes typically comprise the steps of preparing a fiber composition in the form of a suspension in a medium, either wet, more specifically aqueous medium, or dry, more specifically gaseous, i.e. with air as medium. The aqueous medium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimes referred to as a fiber slurry. The fibrous suspension is then used to deposit a plurality of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that an embryonic fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bonding the fibers together results in a fibrous structure. Further processing the fibrous structure can be carried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For example, in typical papermaking processes, the finished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on the reel at the end of papermaking and can subsequently be converted into a finished product (e.g. a sanitary tissue product).

“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means one or more finished fibrous structures, converted or not, that is useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and post-bowel movement cleaning (e.g., toilet tissue and wet wipes), for otorhinolaryngological discharges (e.g., facial tissue), and multi-functional absorbent and cleaning uses (e.g., paper towels and shop towels). The sanitary tissue products can be embossed or not embossed and creped or uncreped.

“Machine direction” as used herein means the direction of travel of the product through any manufacturing equipment.

“Cross direction” as used herein means the direction perpendicular to the machine direction (i.e., the direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the product through any manufacturing equipment).

In one embodiment, the dispensers of the present disclosure can be used to dispense paper products, non-woven products, combination paper and non-woven products, and/or other products. These products can include sanitary tissue products, wet wipes, sanitary napkins, diapers, medical garments and/or other garments, for example. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other products can also be dispensed from the dispensers.

The products can be packaged or placed into “refills” prior to being placed into the dispensers or can be placed directly into the dispensers without prior packaging. The outer surfaces of the refills can be somewhat rigid, such as by using hard plastics, metals, and/or paperboard in manufacturing, or can be flexible, such as by using films or fibrous structures in manufacturing, for example. Other materials that can be used to form the refills are anti-microbial materials, anti-static materials, and anti-bacterial materials. In some embodiments, the products can be placed into a refill and the refill can then be placed into a void area in a dispenser. These products can be previously packaged to fit into the refills or can be loaded into the refills by consumers without prior packaging specific to a refill. In other embodiments, the previously packaged products can actually comprise the refills. In some embodiments, the refills can form outer portions of the dispensers, while in other embodiments, the refills can be positioned within void areas in the dispensers so as to not form an outer portion of the dispenser. The dispensers can be manufactured using any suitable materials, such as hard plastics, metals, wood, fibrous materials, and/or paperboard, for example. Other materials that can be used to form the dispensers are anti-microbial materials, anti-static materials, and anti-bacterial materials.

In one embodiment, when sanitary tissue products are packaged into the refills and/or into the dispensers, these products can be arranged in sheets that can be L-folded, C-folded, U-folded, W-folded, Z-folded (all in both the machine direction and/or the cross-direction), or not folded, for example. Those of skill in the art will recognize other suitable folding for sheets of sanitary tissue products. In various embodiments, the sheets of sanitary tissue products can be interleaved with each other or separate from each other (i.e., not interleaved). In one embodiment, the sanitary tissue products may have an arcuate bend to them without actually being folded. In still other embodiments, the sanitary tissue products can be provided in rolls optionally with perforations between the individual sanitary tissue products.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, perspective views of various dispensers 10 are illustrated. The dispensers 10 can be used to dispense sanitary tissue products 12 or other products. The dispensers 10 can comprise a flat, or generally flat, surface located at a bottom portion of a body 14. The generally flat surface can be used to maintain the body 14 of the dispenser 10 in an upright position or to mount or attach the dispenser 10 to a wall or countertop using an attachment member, such as an adhesive or a magnet, for example. In one embodiment, the body 14 of the dispenser 10 can extend from the generally flat base and a portion of the body can have an arcuate shape. A portion of the body 14 can comprise the generally flat base. The generally flat base can be large enough to support the dispenser 10 in an upright position and prevent, or at least inhibit, the dispenser from falling over. Although an embodiment is not illustrated without a stand, it will be clear from the disclosure that a stand is not required and the generally flat base can be sufficient to maintain the dispenser in an upright position. In various embodiments, other portions of the body 14 can have a flat or a generally flat surface such that the dispenser 10 can be positioned other than upright, for example on its side.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1A-1C and 5, the dispenser 10 can comprise a stand 16. The stand 16 can be used to maintain the dispenser 10 in an upright position and/or provide stability to the body 14 during dispensing. The stand 16 can be formed with the body 14 or can be engaged with or formed with the generally flat base of the body 14. In one embodiment, the stand can be translucent or transparent such a consumer visualizes the body 14 before seeing the stand 16. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, a connection member 18 can extend between the stand 16 and the body 14 and/or the generally flat base of the body 14. The connection member 18 can be a threaded or unthreaded rod or a pin, for example, and can be configured to permit the body 14 to be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by a consumer relative to the stand 16. This feature can allow for easier dispensing in that a user can rotate the body 14 into a suitable position for dispensing. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the stand 16 can comprise an attachment member, such as a magnet 15. The magnet 15 can be attached to, formed with, or adhered to the stand 16 on a surface of the stand 16 opposite to the body 14. The magnet 15 or other attachment member can be used to attach the dispenser 10 to a surface, such as a vertical surface 17, for example. In one embodiment, the generally flat surface and/or the stand 16 can comprise a resilient or high coefficient of friction material, such as rubber, for example, to prevent, or at least inhibit, the dispenser 10 from sliding or moving on a horizontal surface during dispensing.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the stand 16 can comprise a midpoint and the generally flat surface can comprise a midpoint. When the stand 16 is engaged with or formed with the generally flat surface of the body 14, the midpoint of the stand 16 may not be aligned with the midpoint of the generally flat surface. Stated another way, the midpoint of the stand 16 can be offset from the midpoint of the generally flat surface.

In various embodiments, the dispensers 10 can be formed or partially formed of metallic materials as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and FIG. 1C. Various designs can be included on outer surfaces of the dispensers 10′. See e.g., FIGS. 2A-2C. These designs or other designs can be used such that the dispensers 10 and 10′ can compliment or match the decor of a room or area. Other designs can also be provided based on consumer needs or desires.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3-6, a portion of the dispenser 10 can be removed, or at least partially removed, from the body 14 or opened such that additional products, such as sanitary tissue products 12, for example, or a refill of products can be loaded into a void inside the body 14 of the dispenser 10. In one example, referring to FIG. 5, the shaded portion 20 the dispenser 10 can be removed, or at least partially removed, from the non-shaded portion 22. In various embodiments, the shaded portion 20 can be completely removed from the non-shaded portion 22 or can pivot or slide relative to the non-shaded portion 22 to allow access to a refill or product receiving void within the body 14. The engagement between the refill and the void in the body 14 can be lock and key engagement. In other embodiments, a pivotable door (not illustrated) can be positioned on or formed with the shaded portion 20. The door can be pivoted open to permit access to the void within the body 14. In one embodiment, the shaded portion 20 can be a part of the refill, where the refill merely rests on or engages the non-shaded portion 22. Such engagement between the refill and the non-shaded portion 22 can be lock and key engagement.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the body 14 can have a center of gravity 24. A vertical axis 26 can run through the center of gravity 24. The body 14 can define a dispensing opening 28 through the body 14 at a portion on the body 14 generally opposite to the generally flat base, a portion of the generally flat base, the stand 16, or a portion of the stand 16. Stated another way, the dispensing opening 28 can be on the top of the body 14, while the generally flat surface can be on the bottom of the body 14. The dispensing opening 28 can comprise an arcuate portion or can have any suitable shape. In one embodiment, the dispensing opening 28 can be fully positioned on one side of the vertical axis 26, as illustrated as an example in FIGS. 3 and 5.

In other embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3A and 5A, the body 14′ of the dispenser 10″ can have a center of gravity 24′. A vertical axis 26′ can run through the center of gravity 24′. The body 14′ can define a dispensing opening 28′ through the body 14′ at a portion on the body 14′ generally opposite to the generally flat base, a portion of the generally flat base, the stand 16′, or a portion of the stand 16′. Stated another way, the dispensing opening 28′ can be on the top of the body 14′, while the generally flat surface can be on the bottom portion of the body 14′. In one embodiment, the dispensing opening 28′ can have about 50% to about 99%, about 60% to about 95%, about 65% to about 95%, or about 75% to about 90% of its area positioned on one side of the vertical axis 26′, as illustrated as an example in FIGS. 3A and 5A. All 0.1 percents within the above recited ranges are specifically recited herein, but not written out for brevity. In other embodiments, still referring to FIGS. 3A and 5A, a first area 30′ of the dispensing opening 28′ can be positioned on a first side of the vertical axis 26′ and a second area 32′ of the dispensing opening 28′ can be positioned on a second side of the vertical axis 26′. Referring to FIG. 3A, the first area 30′ can be different than the second area 32′. In various embodiments, the first area 30′ can be greater than, twice as great as, or three or more times as great as the second area 32′

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, sanitary tissue products 12 are illustrated inside a void within the body 14 or within a refill positioned within the body 14. The sanitary tissue products 12 can be U-folded about a support 34. The support 34 can be generally U-shaped, V-shaped, and/or comprise an arcuate portion to maintain the sanitary tissue products 12 in a U-shape or a folded over themselves configuration. The sanitary tissue products 12 can be dispensed through the dispensing opening 28, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1A-2C.

In one embodiment, the dispensers 10 or refills can comprise or can be sold with attachment members or the attachment members can be sold separately. The attachment members can be formed with or applied to the dispensers 10 or refills prior to sale or can be attachable to the dispensers or refills post-sale. In one embodiment, the attachment members can be configured to attach a portion of the dispenser 10 or refill to a surface, such as a wall, cabinet door, refrigerator or countertop, for example. The attachment members can be adhesives, such as 3M peel strips, portions of hook and loop fasteners (with the other portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to the surface), hooks, hangers, tape, and/or magnets 36, for example. In the event that an attachment member comprises a magnet 36, the magnet 36 can be attached to or formed with the stand 16 or to the generally flat base, for example.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, the dispensers 10 and/or refills of the present disclosure can define a scent cartridge receiving chamber 38. In such an embodiment, the scent cartridge receiving chamber 38 can be in fluid communication with apertures 40 in the dispensers 10 or refills, such that a scent can be emitted from the dispensers 10 or refills to an external environment when a scent cartridge 42 is placed into the scent cartridge receiving chamber 38. The scent cartridge 42 can be activated by a consumer upon placement into the scent cartridge receiving chamber 38 by removing a film, bending the scent cartridge 42, or otherwise causing the scent cartridge 42 to begin emitting a scent. In one embodiment, the scent cartridge 42 can contain FEBREZE® manufactured by The Procter & Gamble Company. In other various embodiments, the scent cartridge 42 can contain any consumer pleasing scent. The scent cartridges 42 can be sold with the refills or the dispensers 10 or can be sold separately.

In other various embodiments, the dispensers 10 or refills may not define scent cartridge receiving chambers. In such an embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, a scent cartridge 42 can be attached to or adhered to a surface of the dispensers 10 or refills, such as a surface in fluid communication with the external environment of the dispensers 10 or refills. In still other embodiments, a scent cartridge 42 can be formed into the dispensers 10 or refills and a film can be removed from over the scent cartridge, for example, to activate the scent. In various other embodiments, portions of the dispensers 10 or refills themselves can be infused with a scent or manufactured with materials that emit a scent.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the dispensers 10 or refills of the present disclosure can comprise one or more transparent or substantially transparent portions or apertures 44 such that a consumer can view the level of products, such as sanitary tissue products, within the dispensers 10 or refills. The transparent portions or apertures 44 can be provided at any suitable position on the dispensers 10 or refills. The transparent portions 44, in one embodiment, can be formed using transparent films, for example.

In one embodiment, the dispensers 10 or refills of the present disclosure can comprise one or more light sources (not illustrated), such as an LED or a light bulb, for example. The light source can be illuminated by a consumer using a switch on the dispensers 10 or refills or can be motion or sound (e.g., sneeze) activated using sensors known to those of ordinary skill in the art. By providing such light sources, consumers can see the location of the dispensers 10 in the dark or in low light conditions, such as in a bedroom at night.

In various embodiments, the dispensers 10 or refills of the present disclosure can comprise visual indicia 46, such as logos, brand names, instructions, or other words or designs. The visual indicia 46 can be printed on, formed in, and/or stickered on the dispensers 10, for example.

In one embodiment, the dispensers 10 can comprise apparatuses to heat and/or cool the sanitary tissue products or dispense mists or fluids (e.g., water, perfumes, therapeutic scents, lotions, mists) onto the sanitary tissue products. The dispensers 10 can also comprise hand sanitizer dispensers and trash receptacles for sanitary tissue products.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, those of skill in the art will recognize that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispenser for sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising: a generally flat base; and a body extending from the generally flat base, wherein the body has a center of gravity having a vertical axis running therethrough, wherein the body defines a dispensing opening through a wall thereof, wherein the dispensing opening is fully positioned on one side of the vertical axis, and wherein the dispensing opening is defined through a portion of the body that is generally opposite to a portion of the generally flat base.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising a stand, wherein the generally flat base is one of formed with and engaged with the stand.
 3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the generally flat base and the stand each have a midpoint, and wherein, when the generally flat base is formed with or engaged with the stand, the midpoints of the generally flat base and the stand are not aligned.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1, comprising a plurality of sanitary tissue products positioned within the body.
 5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the plurality of sanitary tissue products are U-folded.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a removable portion, and wherein the removable portion is configured to be removed to one of replace or insert a refill package of sanitary tissue products.
 7. A dispenser for sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising: a base; and a body extending from the base, wherein the body has a center of gravity having a vertical axis running therethrough, wherein the body comprises a dispensing opening defined through a portion thereof, and wherein from about 75% to about 90% of the area of the dispensing opening is positioned on one side of the vertical axis.
 8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the base comprises an attachment member configured to attach the base to a surface.
 9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the attachment member is one of an adhesive, a portion of a hook and loop fastener, a magnet, a hanger, a hook, and tape.
 10. A dispenser for sanitary tissue products, the dispenser comprising: a stand; and a body extending from the stand, wherein the body has a center of gravity having a vertical axis running therethrough, wherein the body defines a dispensing opening through a portion thereof, wherein a first area of the dispensing opening is positioned on a first side of the axis, wherein a second area of the dispensing opening is positioned on a second side of the axis, and wherein the first area is different than the second area.
 11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the first area is greater than the second area.
 12. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the first area is twice as large as the second area.
 13. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the first area is three times as large as the second area.
 14. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein a portion of the body has an arcuate shape, and wherein the dispensing opening has an arcuate portion.
 15. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the stand comprises an attachment member configured to attach the stand to a surface.
 16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the attachment member is one of an adhesive, a portion of a hook and loop fastener, a magnet, a hanger, a hook, and tape.
 17. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the body defines a scent cartridge receiving chamber therein.
 18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the body defines an aperture therethrough, and wherein the aperture is in fluid communication with the scent cartridge receiving chamber.
 19. The dispenser of claim 18, comprising a scent cartridge positioned within the scent cartridge receiving chamber.
 20. The dispenser of claim 10, comprising a connection member engaged with the stand and the base such that the base is rotatable relative to the stand. 